"Bear Essence" by Lori Agrella

My husband Steve called me at lunchtime about a year ago telling me of a place in Alaska where you can observe grizzly bears on a platform within 50 ft (more like 10 ft!) of where they fish for salmon. I thought this was a crazy idea that would soon pass. After all, the following year was the time we usually go to Cabo San Lucas for a week of sun & relaxation. Steve continued to research Brooks Falls in Katami National Park and his excitement grew. It became a dream of his to go there and photograph bears. How could I deny him his dream? So I traded in shopping for sundresses and flip flops for North Face gear and waterproof hiking boots =). It took a year of careful planning and he thought of everything we would need to keep us dry and comfortable.

One step off the float plane and it became very clear we were in "bear country." This was defintely not "Jellystone Park" and these bears were not "Yogi & Boo-Boo." This was their domain and we were "tolerated guests." We attended our bear orientation video and set out for the lower platform. I could of stayed there all day & night observing the mother bears (sows) and their cubs. The second day we had our 1st close encounter (see the last picture!) with (2) sub-adult (teenage) bears on the trail to the upper falls. I think it took a full hour for the hair on my arms & neck to lay flat again! As the bears charged passed us and looked back, we could almost see a twinkle in their eyes and the smirk on their faces. Steve & I are totally convinced this is a game these teenagers play to see how frightened they can make us vistors! =)

To have the privilege to observe these magestic animals in their natural habitat often left me speechless. To see the wrath of a mother bear when an adult male (bull) got too close to her cubs was breathtaking. She would charge him full speed though he was often 4-5 times her size and would give her own life for the safety of her babies. There is a hierarchy on the falls between the males that fish there. There is a "king" bear and God help the bear that is stupid enough to try and remove him from his throne! There is a hierachy even amongst the cubs, who gets first pickens and who gets the scraps that remain. I soon envied the rangers that actually got paid to be in this beautiful country and observe these bears. If it weren't for my family in California and the fact I will be 45 yrs old my next birthday, I could easily envision myself back in school taking "Ranger & Bears 101!"

Steve kept saying we were in "God's Country" and we witnessed "His" handiwork everywhere we went. We saw it in the warm, friendly faces of the people we met in Alaska and people from all over the world at Brooks. We saw it in the beautiful skies, mountains, meadows and lakes. We saw it in the animals, especailly the eagles & bears. The bears are numbered and oftened named by the rangers as they make their home at Brooks. I will never forget Holly and her cub, Backpack (he rode on his mom's back as she fished), Cinnamon (her color), Eggberta (her egg shaped head) and her cub, Egbert, BB (bare butt) Snaggletooth (he broke his jaw in a fight), the young brother and sister bears that "played footsie" and held paws (literally) while they watched their mom fish. My favorite and current king bear at the falls is Popeye, named for his massive forearms.

I hope through these photographs I have captured the "essence" of these beautiful animals (I've only taken up photogrpahy a little over a year ago so be gentle with your comments =). I truly felt their power, their beauty in my soul. Some of my friends thought I was crazy for making this trip and maybe I was a little. But I knew with all my heart, my safety was always my husband's number one priority and though we had some "hair raising" experiences, I never once felt like our lives were in danger. My time at Brooks Falls was far too short but what a spirtual experience it was! They are memories I will carry for the rest of my life. We can't wait to go back again!!. I have my husband to thank for taking me there & sharing them with me! Thanks Babe!

It was the experience of a lifetime. I thank God I have a husband that not only dares to dream but also has the courage to follow them. "Where he leads, I will follow!" Our life together is an adventure and I can't wait to see what lies ahead for us!